3 Foreword The Higher Education Act of 1997 assigns responsibility for quality assurance in higher education in South Africa to the Council on Higher Education (CHE). This responsibility is discharged through its permanent sub-committee, the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC). The mandate of the HEQC includes quality promotion, institutional audit and programme accreditation. As part of the task of building an effective national quality assurance system, the HEQC has also included capacity development and training as a critical component of its programme of activities. The HEQC s quality assurance mandate is carried out within the framework of the Regulations for Education and Training Quality Assurers (ETQAs) of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), which has overall responsibility for overseeing standard setting and quality assurance in support of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Programme accreditation is a form of quality assurance which is practiced in many countries and is usually associated with purposes of accountability and improvement in programme quality. In common with higher education systems in many parts of the world, South African higher education faces multiple stakeholder demands for greater responsiveness to societal needs through enhanced student access and mobility, through research and innovation that address social and economic development, and through engagement with local, regional and international communities of interest. Stakeholders also require that higher education institutions are able to provide the public with comprehensive information on the manner in which they maintain the quality and standards of their core academic activities, and to demonstrate sustained improvement in this regard. The HEQC s approach to programme accreditation is strongly shaped by the complex challenges facing higher education institutions in an era of radical restructuring within South African higher education. The programme accreditation system seeks to be responsive to as well as proactive in advancing the objectives of higher education transformation, as reflected in various policy and legislative documents that have been published since Ensuring that improved and sustainable quality is part of the transformation objectives of higher education institutions is, therefore, a fundamental premise of the HEQC s approach to quality assurance in general and to programme accreditation in particular. In line with the vision of the White Paper 3: A Programme for the Transformation of Higher Education of a single, coordinated higher education system, this document sets out a common programme accreditation policy framework for universities, universities of technology, agricultural colleges, private providers and other providers whose programmes and qualifications fall under the jurisdiction of the HEQC. The specific needs and circumstances of different sectors within higher education will be taken into account within the parameters of the common policy framework. The main focus in the HEQC s programme accreditation system will be on the evaluation of new programmes, which will be carried out by the HEQC itself, or through partnerships with other statutory ETQAs in higher education on the basis of memoranda of understanding (MoUs). This is intended to ensure that only programmes that meet the necessary quality requirements will be able to enter the higher education system. Existing programmes will be re-accredited through different arrangements, including self-accreditation by the institutions themselves, provided the ii

4 HEQC s quality requirements are met. The objectives, criteria and procedures for programme accreditation have been developed on the basis of extensive comparative research and pilot tests, and in consultation with key stakeholders in the higher education community. 1 Its implementation will be closely monitored and appropriate adjustments made, where necessary. Policy issues in higher education which are still evolving will also be taken into account. Dr Mala Singh Executive Director Higher Education Quality Committee, Council on Higher Education August This document should be read in close conjunction with the HEQC s Criteria for programme accreditation, iii

6 1. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND THE SOUTH AFRICAN HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM 1.1 National policy and legislative context The Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) is a permanent committee of the Council on Higher Education (CHE), established by the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No. 101 of 1997). The CHE s responsibilities are to: Advise the Minister at his/her request or proactively on all matters related to higher education. Assume executive responsibility for quality assurance within higher education and training. Monitor and evaluate whether the policy goals and objectives for higher education are being realised. Contribute to developing higher education through publications and conferences. Report to parliament on higher education. Consult with stakeholders on higher education matters. The specific functions of the HEQC are to: Promote quality assurance in higher education. Audit the quality assurance mechanisms of institutions of higher education. Accredit programmes of higher education. The Board of the HEQC has added quality related capacity development to the above functions. The nature, purpose and scope of the HEQC s work relate to a range of policy documents and legislation that shapes and regulates the provision of higher education in South Africa 2, in particular the requirements of the Higher Education Act as amended, and White Paper 3: A Programme for the Transformation of Higher Education. The HEQC further operates within the framework of the relevant policies and regulations of the Department of Education (DoE), including the National Plan for Higher Education (NPHE) and the Regulations governing the registration of private providers. As the Education and Training Quality Assurer (ETQA) with primary responsibility for the Higher Education and Training Band of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) 3, the HEQC also operates within the requirements of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Act and its Regulations 4. According to the Regulations, the functions of ETQAs are to: 2 Higher Education Quality Committee, Founding Document, Pretoria 2001, pp South African Qualifications Authority Act, 1995 (Act No 58 of 1995), Section 5 (1)(a)(ii) and Higher Education Amendment Bill, 2001, Section 7 (1) (a). 4 Regulations under the South African Qualifications Authority Act, 1995 (Act No 58 of 1995). 1

7 Accredit constituent institutions for specific standards or qualifications registered on the NQF. Promote the quality of constituent institutions, and monitor their provision. Evaluate, assess and facilitate moderation amongst constituent institutions, register constituent assessors for specified registered standards or qualifications in terms of the criteria established for this purpose, and take responsibility for the certification of constituent learners. Co-operate with the relevant body or bodies appointed to moderate across ETQAs including, but not limited to, moderating the quality assurance on specific standards or qualifications for which one or more ETQAs are accredited. Recommend new standards or qualifications, or modifications to existing standards or qualifications, to the National Standards Bodies (NSBs) for consideration. Maintain a database acceptable to SAQA. Submit reports to SAQA in accordance with its requirements. Perform such other functions as may from time-to-time be assigned to it by SAQA. 5 The accreditation function of the HEQC is integrally related to specific DoE and SAQA functions and activities: The DoE approves the programme and qualification mixes (PQM s) of public higher education institutions. It funds programmes which are accredited by the HEQC. It registers all private higher education institutions before they are allowed to operate. SAQA registers each learning programme offered by an institution of higher education that leads to a qualification on the NQF. The HEQC accredits institutions of higher education to offer programmes leading to particular NQF-registered qualifications. In relevant cases, this is done co-operatively with professional councils and statutory Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). 6 The Board of the HEQC determines policy and procedures for the quality assurance work of the HEQC and has final responsibility for approving accreditation and audit reports. It makes its judgements independently of other national agencies, but seeks to complement their work where issues of quality and standards are involved. The judgements are based on evaluation reports from peer and expert review panels. 1.2 Restructuring and transformation context In South Africa, where the higher education system had been characterised by decades of fragmentation, uneven provision and racial segregation, the challenges of higher education transformation are part of the demands for social and economic justice that are at the core of the agenda for democratic change in South African society. The 5 South African Qualifications Authority, Criteria and Guidelines for ETQAs, p HEQC Founding Document, 2001, paragraphs Institutions are permitted to offer programmes only after all the relevant DoE and SAQA processes have been followed. The sequence of these processes and required actions on the part of institutions will be set out in more detail in the HEQC s Programme Accreditation Manual. 2

8 restructuring of public higher education to produce a more just, effective, efficient and responsive system has been underway at systemic and institutional levels for a number of years. Developments in higher education also encompass the growth of the private provider sector (including a small number of foreign providers) and its associated challenges of building quality in a relatively new sector of higher education provision and of improved articulation with the public higher education sector. Specific quality related goals facing the South African higher education sector include increased access and equity opportunities for previously marginalised groups, especially women and black students and staff, greater responsiveness to local, regional and national needs in and through teaching and research, improved institutional efficiencies leading to increased throughput, retention and graduation rates in academic programmes, increasing the pool of black and women researchers, and the pool of basic and applied knowledge to enhance understanding and social application. The mergers and incorporations in public higher education bring the additional challenge of developing new institutions whose academic functions and products are characterised by improved quality and standards. The work of the HEQC, including its programme accreditation activities, will be conducted within the context of ongoing reform and restructuring in order to produce a transformed higher education system of high quality, which is able to address the complex knowledge development needs of South African society. Programme accreditation, together with institutional audits, will take account of the continuing uneven development that characterises the South African higher education sector, and the HEQC will seek to assist institutions in identifying effective approaches to maintaining and enhancing programme quality. Programme accreditation will also address quality related issues pertaining to the adaptability, responsiveness and innovativeness of academic programmes in the production of new knowledge and skills and the utilisation of new modalities of provision. 2. THE HEQC S PROGRAMME ACCREDITATION MODEL 2.1 Introduction Programme accreditation entails the evaluation of higher education academic programmes 7 (teaching and learning, research and service learning programmes) against the HEQC s programme accreditation criteria, which stipulate the minimum requirements for programme input, process, output and impact, and review. 8 Institutional audit on the other hand, which is also within the HEQC s jurisdiction, evaluates an institution s policies, systems, strategies and resources for quality management of the core functions of teaching and learning, research and community engagement against the HEQC s audit criteria. Quality management entails arrange- 7 A programme is defined as a purposeful and structured set of learning experiences that leads to a qualification. A qualification is the formal recognition and certification of learning achievement awarded by an accredited institution. 8 The HEQC s criteria for programme accreditation are set out in its Criteria for Programme Accreditation (July, 2004). 3

9 ments for quality assurance, quality support and enhancement, and quality monitoring, and covers aspects of input and process as well as outcomes. The HEQC s accreditation and audit systems form part of an interconnected quality assurance system. This connection is evident in institutional requirements for achieving self-accreditation status 9. The HEQC s decision about self-accreditation status will be informed by evidence of programme quality deriving from a range of sources, including evidence from audits. Self-accreditation is one of the HEQC s key strategies for facilitating the move of the higher education system towards a greater measure of quality assurance self-regulation. 2.2 Rationale for the programme accreditation model The protection of students against poor quality programmes and maintaining the credibility of qualifications are key objectives for the HEQC. Accordingly, the HEQC s accreditation model entails a rigorous programme accreditation process, making a fundamental distinction between the accreditation of new and existing programmes 10. In the case of new programmes, the HEQC will utilise a two-phase accreditation process. In the candidacy phase, an institution has to demonstrate that it meets the minimum input standards for infrastructure, activities, resources, etc., as specified in the HEQC s programme accreditation criteria. Alternatively, the institution has to demonstrate its potential to meet these standards in a short stipulated period of time. Apart from this, an institution has to submit a plan on how it intends implementing the new programme. The candidacy phase entails also a compliance and progress evaluation mid-way through the programme. The new programme is only accredited in the accreditation phase. Within one year of the first cohort of students graduating from the programme, the institution must demonstrate compliance with conditions set during the candidacy phase and also evaluate the programme against the HEQC s criteria for the accreditation phase. 11 The HEQC s programme accreditation model encourages in this way the responsiveness of institutions in developing new programmes in order to build institutional and programme capacity, particularly at historically disadvantaged institutions and new institutions. At the same time, the model protects students from poor quality programmes that run indefinitely once they are initially licensed to be offered. In relation to the re-accreditation of existing programmes, the programme accreditation model allows for awarding self-accreditation status to institutions under certain conditions, which will enable them to evaluate and monitor the quality of provision in programme areas where there are no statutory councils involved. This will enable 9 Higher education institutions can apply for and be granted self-accreditation status for a period of six years after an HEQC evaluation has found that the institution satisfies its audit requirements, successfully manages internal and external programme evaluations and satisfies other quality related requirements of the DoE and SAQA. selfaccreditation status will enable institutions to accredit all existing programmes where no statutory council is involved. 10 A new programme is a programme which has not existed before, or a programme whose purpose, outcomes, field of study, mode or site of delivery has been considerably changed. An existing programme is a programme that is registered on the NQF and has been accredited by the Universities and Technikons Advisory Council (AUT), SAQA or the HEQC. 11 Details of the candidacy and accreditation phases are provided in below. 4

10 institutions to take the initiative and responsibility for programme re-accreditation on the basis of trust in their commitment to continuous quality maintenance and improvement. Where programmes have to meet the licensure and other professional and work-based requirements of statutory councils, the HEQC will enter into co-operation agreements with these bodies, which will be regulated by means of memoranda of understanding (MOU s) setting out the terms of the co-operation. The HEQC will ensure that its partnership and delegation agreements will allow it to discharge its own legal obligations for programme quality. In the context of accreditation, accountability concerns are at the forefront. However, the programme accreditation model allows also for various opportunities for continuous improvement and development. For example, one of the important purposes of the mid-term evaluation in the candidacy phase is to provide an opportunity for development on the basis of identified areas in need of attention. 2.3 Principles of the programme accreditation model The following principles guide the HEQC s programme accreditation model: Academic programmes in the higher education system should be of a good quality. Only programmes which conform to at least minimum quality requirements should be allowed to enter and remain in the higher education system. The primary responsibility for programme quality rests with higher education institutions themselves. Institutions should seek to establish and sustain effective mechanisms that facilitate programme quality and yield reliable information for internal programme related planning and self-evaluation, external evaluation, and public reporting. The HEQC s responsibility is to establish a value-adding external system of programme evaluation that can validate institutional information on the quality of teaching and learning, research and service learning programmes. The HEQC will use a system of peer and expert review in order to ensure informed and constructive programme evaluation Objectives of the programme accreditation model The objectives of the programme accreditation model are to: Assure and enhance the quality of higher education programmes by identifying and granting recognition status to programmes that satisfy the HEQC s minimum standards for provision, or demonstrate their potential to do so in a stipulated period of time. Protect students from poor quality programmes through accreditation and re-accreditation arrangements that build on reports from self-evaluation and external evaluation activities, including HEQC audits, and other relevant sources of information. Encourage and support providers to institutionalise a culture of self-managed evaluation that builds on and surpasses minimum standards. 5

11 Increase the confidence of the public in higher education programmes and qualifications. Facilitate articulation between programmes of different higher education sectors and institutions. 2.5 Accreditation arrangements for new programmes Overview The accreditation requirements for new programmes are intended to ensure that only programmes which satisfy at least minimum standards of quality, as stipulated in the HEQC s Criteria for programme accreditation, or can demonstrate the potential to do so in a stipulated period of time, will be allowed to enter the higher education system. Besides meeting the HEQC s minimum standards, new professional programmes must meet the licensure and other professional and work-based requirements of statutory councils. The model of co-operation agreed upon by the HEQC and statutory councils, as set out in the individual MOUs, will determine the nature of the involvement. The methodology followed in the accreditation process for new programmes will include a self-evaluation report by the institution on the proposed programme against the HEQC s programme accreditation criteria for each of the accreditation phases, and additional benchmarks which the institution may wish to utilise. This will be followed by an external evaluation, which will include peer review and site visits where necessary. The process of accreditation of new programmes will consist of a candidacy and an accreditation phase, in which the HEQC s programme accreditation criteria for the particular phase have to be met. In the case of new private higher education institutions 13, both phases are required for new programmes. However, existing public and private institutions may not be required to undertake all the elements of the HEQC s accreditation process. This applies in the case of existing providers which meet criteria such as the following: A track record of demonstrated quality in the provision of programmes. Financial viability. Equity initiatives in dealing with historical legacies of disadvantage. In the case of institutions with a strong research mission, a track record of research outputs. A sliding scale taking into account the nature of the provider (e.g. single or multi-purpose, private or public, distance or residential) and its period of existence may also be used. At least one site visit is required for accreditation in the second phase. 12 It should be noted that, in addition to the HEQC s accreditation arrangements, institutions intending to offer new programmes have to satisfy the following before the programmes can be offered: DoE registration requirements for private institutions offering specific learning programmes leading to qualifications registered on the NQF. DoE approval requirements for public institutions for activities in specified CESM fields and at specified levels (PQM)), as well as the need to obtain funding approval for any new qualifications. SAQA requirements for the registration of qualifications on the NQF. 13 A private higher education institution is regarded as new until it has delivered two cohorts of students in at least some of its programmes and meets any other requirements that may be set by the HEQC. 6

12 2.5.2 Phases of the accreditation process Candidacy phase In its submission for candidacy status for a new programme, an institution has to demonstrate, firstly, that it fulfills the HEQC s criteria for the candidacy phase, i.e. the minimum standards for activities, resources, conditions etc. which should take place/ be available or present in order to offer the programme ( input criteria). Alternatively, the institution has to demonstrate its potential and capability to meet these standards in a short stipulated period of time. The institution s application for candidacy status should be based on a critical self-evaluation of the new programme against the requirements of the HEQC s programme input criteria. Secondly, the institution has to submit a plan for implementation of the new programme. The plan could specify, for example: Phases of implementation for the new programme, together with time-frames and budgetary allocations for each phase and the human resources for managing the implementation. Structures, strategies, processes, etc. which will ensure that the HEQC s criteria for programme progress, output and impact, and review are met in the accreditation phase of the new programme. Applications for new programmes will be evaluated by an HEQC panel of peers. A site visit may also be undertaken by the HEQC, where necessary. If the requirements for candidacy status are met, the HEQC will award provisional accreditation to the new programme 14. Midway through the programme, the institution should submit a progress report for evaluation by an HEQC panel of peers, with details on the following: How areas identified by the HEQC for urgent attention when the candidacy submission was approved, have been addressed. Progress with the implementation of the programme in relation to the implementation plan submitted to the HEQC. This will provide an early warning (to the institution and to the HEQC) about problem areas, as well as an opportunity for appropriate developmental intervention, where necessary. Structures, strategies, processes, etc. which are in operation to ensure meeting the HEQC s criteria for programme process, programme output and impact, and programme review in the accreditation phase of the programme Accreditation phase Within one year of the first cohort of students graduating from the new programme, the institution must demonstrate compliance with any conditions set by the HEQC during the candidacy phase, which includes the evaluation of the mid-term report from the 14 A new programme receives full accreditation only after the requirements for the accreditation phase have been met. See also section 5 below. 7

13 institution. Convincing substantiation should be provided for any deviancies from these conditions. The institution should also conduct a self-evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the programme against the HEQC s criteria for the accreditation phase, which include those for programme input, process, output and impact, and review, and submit a programme improvement plan addressing all deficiencies which became apparent during the self-evaluation. If the institution s submission is approved by the HEQC, the programme obtains accreditation status. It should be noted that in both phases of accreditation, development opportunities will be available for providers where programmes do not meet the required criteria, on the expectation that they have the ability to remedy the problem areas and attain minimum standards within a stipulated period of time. Details of the relevant mechanisms and time-frames will be provided in the HEQC s Programme Accreditation Manual Period of accreditation New programmes will be accredited as follows: New one and two-year programmes may be accredited for a maximum of three years. New programmes with a duration of three years and longer may be accredited for a maximum of six years. 2.6 Re-accreditation arrangements for existing programmes Accreditation arrangements for existing programmes where no statutory councils are involved Re-accreditation of existing programmes where no statutory councils are involved, will be linked to institutional self-accreditation status, which the HEQC grants to institutions for a period of six years. This will allow an institution to re-accredit its existing programmes where no statutory council has jurisdiction. The HEQC s decision on granting selfaccreditation status will be based on audit findings for the institution, as well as programme quality information from HEQC sources, and other quality related information from the DoE and SAQA. In addition, the institution has to present a satisfactory quality management plan for the execution of its re-accreditation responsibilities during the period of self-accreditation. 15 Re-accreditation of existing programmes will generally not be conducted by the HEQC in its schedule of activities: , except if - An institution performs consistently poorly in the accreditation of new programmes. Audits or re-accreditation of existing programmes through national reviews point to serious problem areas. The HEQC decides to undertake re-accreditation for other relevant reasons. 8

14 If an institution has not obtained self-accreditation status, the HEQC will conduct an evaluation of existing programmes where no statutory councils are involved. The HEQC will communicate to institutions in the latter half of the programme accreditation cycle: which existing programmes will be re-accredited in the next cycle, together with the relevant time-frames Accreditation arrangements for existing professional programmes The HEQC recognises the interests and responsibilities of statutory councils with regard to vocational and professional education, particularly with regard to licensure and other professional and work-based requirements. The HEQC is in the process of developing appropriate models of co-operation with these councils and SETA ETQAs. Cooperation agreements will include provision for the monitoring role of the HEQC, details of the model of co-operation and an indication of the qualifications and institutions covered by the agreement. Professional programmes which do not have statutory councils or SETA ETQAs associated with them will be re-accredited by the HEQC, in consultation with interested organisations in the field. 2.7 Use of criteria in programme accreditation The HEQC has developed a set of programme accreditation criteria which specify minimum quality standards for academic programmes. 16 The criteria were developed with due regard to national policies and regulatory frameworks, the institutional quality landscape, and international trends with respect to quality and standards in higher education, and were finalised after taking stakeholder comments into consideration. The HEQC s programme accreditation criteria should serve as quality benchmarks for institutions which are undertaking self-evaluations in preparation for the accreditation of new programmes or re-accreditation of existing programmes. Institutions may wish to set additional requirements in order to further enhance the quality of their programmes. Academic programmes will be evaluated by HEQC appointed peer review panels of subject specialists against the criteria. All the criteria are regarded as relevant for ensuring and enhancing programme quality. The HEQC recognises also the need for flexibility in the interpretation of the criteria, since the relative importance and weight to be attached to specific programme areas and their related criteria may differ between certain programmes. Members of the peer review panel have the responsibility to use their discipline and subject knowledge to make these judgements within the context of the programme that is evaluated. 3. Cross-border provision and quality assurance 3.1 Foreign providers in South Africa All foreign institutions which offer higher education programmes in South Africa, including those higher education institutions which are subject to accreditation 16 See the HEQC s Criteria for programme accreditation,

15 requirements of other national, regional or international agencies, are subject to the HEQC s programme accreditation policies, requirements and procedures. In addition, these institutions have to satisfy the registration requirements of the DoE. In order to lessen the burden on foreign providers operating in South Africa, who may be subject to two sets of programme accreditation requirements, the HEQC will negotiate specific programme accreditation requirements with such institutions, and will work cooperatively as far as possible with the agencies that are responsible for programme accreditation in their countries or origin. In the case of transnational institutions with no specific national quality assurance affiliation, the HEQC will conduct programme accreditation activities in cooperation with relevant transnational agencies, where appropriate. 3.2 South African higher education institutions abroad South African higher education institutions which operate outside the country are subject to the HEQC s programme accreditation policies, requirements and procedures for all their local as well as cross-border academic activities. In addition to the HEQC s requirements, such institutions have to satisfy the relevant quality assurance policies and procedures of the countries in which they operate. The HEQC will co-operate closely with national quality assurance agencies in countries where South African higher education institutions have an operational presence in order to share accreditation and audit information. All higher education providers which are operating across borders need to ensure equivalence in the quality of provision at different sites of delivery in South Africa and abroad. 10

16 APPENDIX A DIAGRAM OF THE HEQC S PROGRAMME ACCREDITATION MODEL PROGRAMME ACCREDITATION MODEL New programmes Existing programmes Accreditation requirements and methodology (i) Requirements: HEQC s programme criteria for both phases of the accreditation process. Professional programmes: Also licensure and other professional and work-based requirements of statutory councils. (ii) Methodology: Self-evaluation against HEQC s programme accreditation criteria, followed by external peer evaluation and an HEQC site visit in at least one of the accreditation phases. Accreditation process and outcomes Candidacy phase (Provisional accreditation) Accreditation phase Outcome: Programme accredited for stipulated period of time Involvement of statutory councils Involved in accreditation of professional programmes, depending on nature of co-operation agreement with HEQC. Programmes where no statutory council is involved (i) Requirements: HEQC criteria for existing programmes and institutional benchmarks, where self-accreditation status was obtained. HEQC criteria for existing programmes, where self-accreditation status was not obtained. (ii) Methodology: Where self-accreditation status was granted, self-evaluation against HEQC and institutional benchmarks, followed by external evaluation as determined by the institution. Where self-accreditation status was not granted, evaluation by an HEQC review panel of subject specialists against the HEQC s programme criteria.. Professional programmes (i) Requirements: Where a statutory council exists, as specified in the MOU between the HEQC and the statutory council. Where no statutory council or SETA ETQA is associated, HEQC criteria for existing programmes in association with interested parties. (ii) Methodology: Where a statutory council exists, as specified in the MOU between the HEQC and the statutory council. Where no statutory council or SETA ETQA is associated, evalu- -ation by an HEQC review panel of subject specialists against the HEQC s programme criteria.. 11

17 APPENDIX B PROGRAMME ACCREDITATION WITHIN THE HEQC s SCHEDULE OF ACTI- VITIES: The HEQC s quality assurance activities during the period: are structured into Phase A ( ) and Phase B ( ). The details below indicate how programme accreditation fits into the envisaged schedule: Phase A ( ): (a) (b) (c) Full-scale audits commence at all public and private higher education institutions where no mergers are underway. In the case of merged institutions, provision is made for a three-year settling-down period. The HEQC will undertake visits to merged institutions in the first year after the merger date, in order to ascertain the nature and level of planning for institutional and programme quality management. New programmes from all public and private higher education institutions undergo accreditation processes that include site visits, in order to ensure that only programmes of good quality enter the higher education system. This includes new programmes from merged institutions. (d) In general, existing programmes are not re-accredited by the HEQC. Where professional councils or other statutory bodies require existing programmes to be reaccredited, the HEQC will undertake such re-accreditation jointly with other relevant ETQAs in a range of co-operation modalities. (e) (f) National reviews (such as the HEQC s MBA re-accreditation exercise) are undertaken in selected programme, qualification or disciplinary areas. Self-accreditation status is not granted to higher education institutions. However, institutions intending to apply for self-accreditation status in Phase B ( ) can use this opportunity to develop the necessary structures, systems and capacity for self-accreditation. Phase B ( ): (a) (b) (c) Audits continue at all institutions not affected by mergers. Audits commence at merged institutions. Accreditation of new programmes of all institutions continues. 12

18 (d) (e) (f) Re-accreditation of existing programmes is generally not conducted by the HEQC, except if an institution performs consistently poorly in the accreditation of new programmes, or if the audits or the re-accreditation of existing programmes through national reviews, point to serious problem areas. Institutions can apply for self-accreditation status. This status will be granted on the basis of satisfactory evidence of the effectiveness of internal quality management systems and programme quality. 17 The HEQC could undertake selective re-evaluations of existing programmes in institutions which apply for selfaccreditation status, in cases where this is deemed necessary by the HEQC. National reviews continue as required. 17 For more information on self-accreditation status, see the Glossary. 13

19 GLOSSARY 18 Accreditation - Recognition status granted to a programme for a stipulated period of time after an HEQC evaluation indicates that it meets minimum standards of quality. Audit - See Institutional Audit. Benchmarking Within a programme context, a process by which a programme is evaluated and compared against internal and external, national and international reference points, for the purposes of accountability and improvement. Candidacy status Status granted to a provider that demonstrates potential to meet the minimum standards of provision determined by the HEQC for the intended programme and qualification. The provider can begin to offer the programme to the first cohort of students. Community engagement - Initiatives and processes through which the expertise of the institution in the areas of teaching and research are applied to address issues relevant to its community. Community engagement typically finds expression in a variety of forms, ranging from informal and relatively unstructured activities to formal and structured academic programmes addressed at particular community needs (service learning programmes). Co-operative education - A philosophy of learning that promotes the concept of enhanced learning based on co-operation between education institutions and industry, commerce and the public sector. Criteria for programme accreditation - Minimum standards necessary to support and enhance the quality of teaching and learning, research and service learning programmes. Education and Training Quality Assurer Body responsible for monitoring and auditing the level of achievement of national standards or qualifications offered by providers and to which specific functions have been assigned by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Evaluators See Programme evaluators. Existing programme A programme that is registered on the NQF and has been accredited by the AUT, SAQA or the HEQC. 18 The definitions of terms provided below refer to their use in the text of the Framework for Programme Accreditation, and may not necessarily include other possible interpretations of the same terms. 14

20 Institutional accreditation - Status attained after an HEQC evaluation has found that a new private higher education institution has the potential and capability to meet minimum quality thresholds of educational provision for higher education. Institutional audit - An improvement orientated external evaluation of institutional arrangements for quality in teaching and learning, research and community engagement, based on a self-evaluation conducted by the institution. The external evaluation is conducted by a panel of peers and experts against the HEQC s criteria and other quality requirements set by the institution itself. The audit panel s report forms the basis of the HEQC s report to the audited institution with commendations on good practice and recommendations for improvement. Institutionally managed evaluation - Evaluation activities which are initiated, managed and financed by the institution itself. Minimum standards Requirements that a programme has to meet in order to be accredited by the HEQC. Multi-purpose provider See Single-purpose provider. New programme - A programme which has not existed before, or a programme whose purpose, outcomes, field of study, mode or site of delivery has been considerably changed. Professional programme A programme that has to meet the licensure and other professional and work-based requirements of statutory councils. Programme - A purposeful and structured set of learning experiences that leads to a qualification. Programme evaluation The external quality assurance processes undertaken to make an independent assessment of a programme s development, management and outcomes and to validate the findings of an internal programme review. Programme evaluator Subject specialist trained to undertake external evaluations of programmes. Provisional accreditation - Status granted by the HEQC to a new programme when it complies with the criteria set for the candidacy phase. Qualification - Formal recognition and certification of learning achievement awarded by an accredited institution. Quality assurance Processes of ensuring that specified standards or requirements have been met. Re-accreditation Accreditation of an existing programme after its former accreditation by the AUT, SAQA or the HEQC. 15

21 Self-accreditation status - Status granted by the HEQC to an institution for a period of six years which enables the institution to re-accredit existing programmes, where no statutory council has jurisdiction. Information which will be considered by the HEQC in order to grant self-accreditation status will include the audit findings for the institution, as well as programme quality information from HEQC sources, and other relevant information from the DoE and SAQA. The institution also has to present a quality management plan for the execution of its re-accreditation responsibilities during the period of self-accreditation. Self-evaluation - Within a programme accreditation context, self-evaluation refers to the process by which an institution critically reviews and evaluates the effectiveness of its programmes against the benchmarks of the HEQC s programme accreditation criteria and any other quality criteria that it deems relevant. The process leads to the development of the self-evaluation report. Service learning - Applied learning which is directed at specific community needs and is integrated into an academic programme and curriculum. It could be creditbearing and assessed, and may or may not take place in a work environment. Single-purpose provider - A single-purpose provider offers programmes within one particular field of study only, for example, in information technology, commerce, or health and has only one ETQA associated with its programmes. Multi-purpose providers have more than one field of focus and could have more than one ETQA associated with their programmes. Universities and Technikons Advisory Council - The AUT was the Minister of Education s advisory body during the previous political dispensation. Work-based learning - A component of a learning programme that focuses on the application of theory in an authentic, work-based context. It addresses specific competences identified for the acquisition of a qualification, which relate to the development of skills that will make the learner employable and will assist in developing his/her personal skills. Employer and professional bodies are involved in the assessment of experiential learning, together with academic staff. 16

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